Inflatable data center

ABSTRACT

A data center can include an inflatable enclosure in which rack computer systems can be installed and can provide computing capacity. The inflatable enclosure includes an inflatable structure which is at least partially inflated based on cooling air discharged into the inflatable enclosure by one or more cooling modules. A cooling module can include a cooling system and a cooling air vent, where the cooling system adjustably induces a stream of cooling air and the cooling air vent adjustably directs the cooling air stream into a particular space enclosed by an inflatable structure. The inflatable enclosure can be established by separate modules positioned on opposite sides of a space and an inflatable structure which extends across the space between the modules. The inflatable structure can be extended over additional spaces to expand the inflatable enclosure, thereby providing additional space to install rack computer systems.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/668,780, filed Mar. 25, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,439,329, which ishereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Organizations such as on-line retailers, Internet service providers,search providers, financial institutions, universities, and othercomputing-intensive organizations often conduct computer operations fromlarge scale computing facilities. Such computing facilities house andaccommodate a large amount of server, network, and computer equipment toprocess, store, and exchange data as needed to carry out anorganization's operations. Typically, a computer room of a computingfacility includes many server racks. Each server rack, in turn, includesmany servers and associated computer equipment.

Because a computing facility may contain a large number of servers, alarge amount of electrical power may be required to operate thefacility. In addition, the electrical power is distributed to a largenumber of locations spread throughout the computer room (e.g., manyracks spaced from one another, and many servers in each rack). Usually,a facility receives a power feed at a relatively high voltage. Thispower feed is stepped down to a lower voltage (e.g., 110V). A network ofcabling, bus bars, power connectors, and power distribution units, isused to deliver the power at the lower voltage to numerous specificcomponents in the facility.

Computer systems typically include a number of components that generatewaste heat. Such components include printed circuit boards, mass storagedevices, power supplies, and processors. For example, some computerswith multiple processors may generate 250 watts of waste heat. Someknown computer systems include a plurality of such larger,multiple-processor computers that are configured into rack-mountedcomponents, and then are subsequently positioned within a rackingsystem. Some known racking systems include 40 such rack-mountedcomponents and such racking systems will therefore generate as much as10 kilowatts of waste heat. Moreover, some known data centers include aplurality of such racking systems. Some known data centers includemethods and apparatus that facilitate waste heat removal from aplurality of racking systems, typically by circulating air through oneor more of the rack systems.

The amount of computing capacity needed for any given data center maychange rapidly as business needs dictate. Most often, there is a needfor increased computing capacity at a location. Initially providingcomputing capacity in a data center, or expanding the existing capacityof a data center (in the form of additional servers, for example), isresource-intensive and may take many months to effect. Substantial timeand resources are typically required to design and build a data center(or expansion thereof), lay cables, install racks and cooling systems.Additional time and resources are typically needed to conductinspections and obtain certifications and approvals, such as forelectrical and HVAC systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a data center which includes acooling module and an inflatable enclosure, in which rack computersystems are installed, inflated by cooling air discharged from thecooling module, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2A-B illustrate an orthogonal view of a data center which includesa cooling module, electrical module, and an inflatable enclosure, inwhich rack computer systems are installed, inflated by cooling airdischarged from the cooling module, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a data center which includes aninflatable structure spanning an inflatable enclosure between a coolingmodule located at one end of the inflatable enclosure and an electricalmodule located at an opposite end of the inflatable enclosure, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 4A-D illustrate orthogonal views of a data center which includes aninflatable enclosure which is inflated by cooling air discharged from acooling module and in which rack computer systems and infrastructure areinstalled, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a cooling module which includesmultiple independently controllable air moving devices and cooling airvents, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6A-D illustrates a data center which includes an inflatableenclosure which is progressively expanded, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of inflatable structures whichenclose multiple, separate adjacent inflatable enclosures, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates a data center which includes multiple modules whichbound an interior space which is at least partially enclosed by aninflatable structure, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates deploying a data center, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example computer system thatmay be used in some embodiments.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that the drawings and detaileddescription thereto are not intended to limit the invention to theparticular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within thespirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appendedclaims. The headings used herein are for organizational purposes onlyand are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description orthe claims. As used throughout this application, the word “may” is usedin a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), ratherthan the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words“include,” “including,” and “includes” mean including, but not limitedto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments of an inflatable data center are disclosed.According to one embodiment, a method for deployment of a data centerincludes positioning a pre-fabricated electrical module at a particulardata center site, positioning a pre-fabricated cooling module at theparticular data center site, inflating an inflatable structure at thedata center site such that the inflated structure establishes aninflatable enclosure of the particular data center site, based onoperating the cooling module such that the inflatable enclosurestructure is at least partially inflated by the cooling module,installing a rack computer system within the inflatable enclosure, andoperating at least one of the rack computer systems in the inflatableenclosure to provide computing capacity. The electrical module providesone or more of electrical power support and network communicationsupport to the rack computer system. The cooling module provides coolingsupport to the rack computer system via a stream of cooling air directedout of at least one cooling air vent of the cooling module. Installingthe rack computer system within the inflatable enclosure includeselectrically coupling the rack computer systems to the at least oneelectrical module.

According to one embodiment, a method includes operating a coolingmodule, so that the cooling module discharges a stream of cooling airinto a particular space, and inflating an inflatable structure, suchthat the inflated inflatable structure at least partially establishes anenclosure of the particular space, based at least in part upon thestream of cooling air discharged into the particular space by the atleast one cooling module. The cooling module provides cooling support toa rack computer system based at least in part upon the discharged streamof cooling air.

According to one embodiment, a system includes a rack computer system, acooling module, and an inflatable structure. The rack computer system isinstalled in a particular space and provides computing capacity. Thecooling module includes a cooling air vent and provides cooling supportto the rack computer system via a stream of cooling air discharged viathe cooling air vent into the particular space. The inflatable structureat least partially establishes an inflatable enclosure of the particularspace based at least in part upon the stream of cooling air dischargedby the cooling air vent of the cooling module into the particular space.

As used herein, “computing” includes any operations that can beperformed by a computer, such as computation, data storage, dataretrieval, or communications.

As used herein, “data center” includes any facility or portion of afacility in which computer operations are carried out. A data center mayinclude servers dedicated to specific functions or serving multiplefunctions. Examples of computer operations include informationprocessing, communications, simulations, and operational control.

As used herein, “computer room” means a room of a building in whichcomputer systems, such as rack-mounted servers, are operated.

As used herein, “computer system” includes any of various computersystems or components thereof. One example of a computer system is arack-mounted server. As used herein, the term computer is not limited tojust those integrated circuits referred to in the art as a computer, butbroadly refers to a processor, a server, a microcontroller, amicrocomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC), an applicationspecific integrated circuit, and other programmable circuits, and theseterms are used interchangeably herein. In the various embodiments,memory may include, but is not limited to, a computer-readable medium,such as a random access memory (RAM). Alternatively, a compact disc-readonly memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MOD), and/or a digitalversatile disc (DVD) may also be used. Also, additional input channelsmay include computer peripherals associated with an operator interfacesuch as a mouse and a keyboard. Alternatively, other computerperipherals may also be used that may include, for example, a scanner.Furthermore, in the some embodiments, additional output channels mayinclude an operator interface monitor and/or a printer.

As used herein, “data center module” means a module that includes, or issuitable for housing and/or physically supporting, one or more computersystems that can provide computing resources for a data center.

As used herein, “electrical module” means a module that distributeselectrical power to systems or components external to the electricalmodule.

As used herein, “network communication module” means a module whichcommunicatively couples one or more systems or components external tothe network communication module with one or more communicationnetworks.

As used herein, “external cooling system” means a cooling systemexternal to a modular computing system. For example, an external coolingsystem may be a chilled water system that is coupled to a modularcomputing system. An external cooling system may be located inside afacility or outdoors.

As used herein, a “free cooling” includes operation in which an airhandling system pulls air at least partially from an external source(such as air outside a facility) and/or a return from a computer room,and forces the air to electronic equipment without active chilling inthe air-handling sub-system.

As used herein, “active cooling”, “active chilling”, etc. refers tocooling of air by a process which involves transferring heat from theair to one or more other fluids which are separate from the air. Suchother fluids can include water, various coolants, refrigerants, somecombination thereof, etc. Active cooling systems can include heatexchangers which remove heat from the one or more other fluids. Anexample of an active cooling system can include a cooling system whichincludes circulating air through a data center module to remove heatfrom heat producing components therein, and circulating a separate fluidthrough one or more pathways in the data center module, including pipes,coils, heat exchangers, etc. to cool the circulating air before the airremoves heat from such components, after the air removes heat from suchcomponents, concurrently with the air removing heat from suchcomponents, some combination thereof, etc. Another example of an activecooling system includes chilled water cooling systems. An example ofactive cooling includes cooling air by a process which includesmechanical cooling. An example of active cooling includes cooling air bya process which includes evaporative cooling.

As used herein, “mechanical cooling” means cooling of air by a processthat involves doing mechanical work on at least one other fluid, such asoccurs in vapor-compression refrigeration systems, etc.

As used herein, “evaporative cooling” means cooling of air byevaporation of liquid.

As used herein, a “module” is a component or a combination of componentsphysically coupled to one another. A module may include functionalelements and systems, such as computer systems, racks, blowers, ducts,power distribution units, fire suppression systems, and control systems,as well as structural elements, such a frame, housing, or container. Insome embodiments, a module is pre-fabricated at a location off-site froma data center.

As used herein, “movable” means a component or combination or componentshaving a container, housing, frame or other structure that allows themodule to be moved as a unit from one location to another. For example,a movable module may be moved as a unit on a flatbed trailer. In somecases, a movable module may be attached to a portion of a floor,building, or permanent structure when deployed. For example, a movablemodule may be bolted to the floor of a data center facility.

As used herein, a “rack” means rack, container, frame, or other elementor combination of elements that can contain or physically support one ormore computer systems.

As used herein, a “space” means a space, area or volume.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a data center which includes acooling module and an inflatable structure, in which rack computersystems are installed, inflated by cooling air discharged from thecooling module, according to some embodiments.

Data center 100 includes a data center site 110 which comprises aprepared surface upon which the various components of the data centerare located. The data center 100 includes an inflated inflatablestructure 120 which encloses a particular space 140 in the data centersite 110, thereby establishing an enclosure 145 of space 140. Theparticular space 140 enclosed by the inflated inflatable structure 120can be a limited portion of the prepared surface of the data center site110. The enclosure 145 of the particular space 140 by the inflatedstructure 120 can be referred to herein interchangeably as an“inflatable enclosure” 145 of the space 140. As referred to herein, an“inflatable structure” refers to a structure which is configured to bestructurally supported by air, in an inflated state which establishes aninflatable enclosure, such that the inflatable enclosure established bythe inflated inflatable structure at least partially derives itsstructural integrity from the air within the inflatable enclosure.

Data center 100 includes a set of rack computer systems 150 installed inthe particular space 140. The rack computer systems 150 can include oneor more data center modules which include one or more structuralhousings which include one or more sets of rack computer systems. Suchstructural housings can conform to one or more standardized formfactors, including one or more shipping container form factors.

Data center 100 includes a cooling module 130 which provides coolingsupport to the rack computer systems 150 installed in the particularspace 140 enclosed by the inflated structure 120. The cooling module 130includes one or more cooling systems which provide cooling air 190 intothe space 140, where the cooling air 190 removes heat from one or moreof the rack computer systems 150, thereby providing cooling support tothe one or more rack computer systems 150. As shown, cooling module 130includes a set of air inlets 182 which can receive intake air 180 froman ambient environment 195 external to the inflatable enclosure 145 ofthe particular space 140 and can provide cooling air 190, from one ormore cooling air vents (not shown in FIG. 1) of the cooling module 130into the particular space 140.

In some embodiments, the inflatable structure 120 is directly coupled toa particular side of the cooling module 130 which includes the coolingair vents, such that the inflatable structure 120 forms a partitionbetween the particular space 140 and the ambient environment, such thatcooling air 190 discharged by the cooling module 130 is precluded frompassing directly to the ambient environment. In some embodiments,including the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the cooling module130 is coupled to the inflatable structure 120 via one or more vestibulestructures 160 which establish one or more sealed air pathways from theone or more cooling air vents of the cooling module 130 into theparticular space 140.

The one or more cooling systems included in the cooling module 130 caninclude one or more various cooling systems which induce one or morestreams of cooling air 190. For example, the cooling module 130 caninclude an active chilling system, which can include one or more coolantcirculation systems, chilled water systems, mechanical cooling systems,direct evaporation systems, some combination thereof, etc. whichactively chill intake air 180 entering the cooling module 180 intocooling air 190. In some embodiments, the cooling module includes afree-cooling system. A cooling systems included in the cooling modulecan include one or more sets of air moving devices which are configuredto induce at least one stream of cooling air 190.

Inflatable structure 120 includes a set of exhaust vents 170 whichdirect exhaust air 192 out of the particular space 140 and into theambient environment 195. In some embodiments, cooling air 190 directedinto the particular space 140 passes through one or more rack computersystems 150 and removes heat from one or more heat-generating componentsincluded in the one or more rack computer systems 150, thereby becomingexhaust air 192. The exhaust air, having removed heat from one or morerack computer systems 150, can have an elevated temperature relative tocooling air 190 and can be pushed upwards in space 140 by the denser,lower temperature cooling air 190. As a result, the exhaust air 192“rises” to the top of the inflatable enclosure 145 of space 140 and canpass out of the inflatable enclosure 145 via one or more exhaust vents170 which are coupled to a portion of the inflated structure 120 whichis located at the top of the inflatable enclosure of space 140, as shownin FIG. 1.

In some embodiments, the data center 100 includes one or more additionalmodules which provide one or more additional instances of infrastructuresupport. For example, data center 100 can include a networkcommunication module which includes one or more instances of networkcommunication infrastructure, including network communication pathways,network switching devices, etc., and can provide network communicationsupport to rack computer systems coupled to the network communicationmodule. In another example, data center 100 can include an electricalmodule which includes one or more instances of power distributioninfrastructure which can provide electrical power support to the one ormore rack computer systems in the data center. In some embodiments, theelectrical module provides electrical power support and networkcommunication support to at least some of the rack computer systemsinstalled in the data center. Modules which provide one or moreinstances of infrastructure support can be referred to herein as“infrastructure modules”, and an infrastructure module can include oneor more of a cooling module, electrical module, network communicationmodule, etc.

As referred to herein, a rack computer system which is “installed” in adata center is mounted at a location which structurally supports therack computer system and is further coupled to one or more instances ofinfrastructure support, such that the rack computer system can performcomputing operations and provide computing capacity. For example, aninstalled rack computer system 150 in data center 150 is mounted on theportion of the prepared surface of the site 110 and is coupled to bothelectrical power support infrastructure and network communicationsupport infrastructure.

FIG. 2A-B illustrate an orthogonal view of a data center which includesa cooling module, electrical module, and an inflatable enclosure, inwhich rack computer systems are installed, inflated by cooling airdischarged from the cooling module, according to some embodiments.

Data center 200 includes a cooling module 220, electrical module 230,and an inflatable structure 240 which establishes an inflatableenclosure 247 of a space 245 and in which rack computer systems 250 andone or more instances of infrastructure 232, 233 are installed.

In some embodiments, a data center includes modular instances of supportinfrastructure, also referred to herein as infrastructure modules, whichare located externally to an inflatable enclosure in which one or morerack computer systems are installed, where the infrastructure moduleseach provide one or more types of infrastructure support to the rackcomputer systems via one or more vestibules which provide an airtightseal between the infrastructure modules and the inflatable enclosure. Insome embodiments, an infrastructure module can include one or morecooling modules which are configured to provide cooling support to oneor more rack computer systems, one or more electrical modules which areconfigured to provide one or more of electrical power support to one ormore rack computer systems, network communication support to one or morerack computer systems, some combination thereof, etc.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the data center 200 includes acooling module 220, an electrical module 230, and an inflatablestructure 240, where the cooling module and electrical module are eachpositioned on the surface 210 at locations which are adjacent toopposite ends of space 245. The inflatable structure 240 is positionedsuch that the structure 240 extends across the space 245 and isseparately coupled to the separate modules 220, 230 via separatevestibules 246. The vestibules 246 are coupled to the separate modules220, 230 via airtight connections, such that air within the inflatedenclosure 247 is restricted from passing to the ambient environment 295via the connections between the inflatable structure 240 and the modules220, 230.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the inflatable structure 240,when inflated, encloses the particular space 245, such that the inflatedstructure 240 at least partially establishes an inflatable enclosure 247of space 245. Rack computer systems 250 can be installed in theenclosure 247, so that the rack computer systems 250 can performcomputing operations and the inflatable structure 240 can partition theenclosure 247 from the ambient environment 295, thereby protecting therack computer systems 250 from environmental elements.

The electrical module 230 can include one or more power distributioncomponents, including one or more uninterruptible power supplies,transfer switches, power distribution units, generators, etc. and can becoupled to instances of support infrastructure 232. In some embodiments,the electrical module 230 includes one or more instances of networkcommunication infrastructure components, including one or more networkswitches, etc. such that the electrical module 230 can provideelectrical power support and network communication power support to oneor more rack computer systems to which the electrical module 230 iscoupled via one or more instances of support infrastructure 232.

As shown, the electrical module 230 is coupled to the rack computersystems 250 via one or more instances 232 of support infrastructurewhich extend through the vestibule 246 which couples the inflatablestructure 240 with the electrical module 230. The one or more instances232 can include one or more power transmission lines which electricallycouple the module 230 to the rack computer systems 250, such that themodule 230 can provide electrical power support to the rack computersystem 250 via the power transmission lines. The one or more instances232 can include one or more network communication conduits including oneor more of network communication cabling, bus trunks, some combinationthereof, or the like which communicatively couple the module 230 to therack computer systems 250, such that the module 230 can provide networkcommunication support to the rack computer system 250 via the networkcommunication conduits. In some embodiments, the electrical module 230is a pre-fabricated module and includes components housed within ahousing which conforms to one or more standardized shipping containerform factors.

As shown, the cooling module 220 includes an air intake vent 222 whichcan direct intake air 260 from the ambient environment 295 into themodule 220. The module 220 further includes one or more cooling systems223 which can at least partially condition the intake air into coolingair 270, which can be discharged, via a cooling air vent 224, into theinflatable enclosure 247 via the vestibule 246 which couples the module220 to structure 240. The cooling air 270 can remove heat from one ormore heat generating components of the rack computer systems 250.

In some embodiments, a cooling module includes intake vents and coolingair vents on various different ends of the cooling module. For example,a cooling module can include intake air vents on a top end of thecooling module. In another example, a cooling module can include intakeair vents on multiple ends of the module, including both a top end and aside end. The cooling module 220 shown in FIG. 2A-B includes an intakevent 222 on one side end of the module 220 and a cooling air vent 224 onan opposite side end of the module 220. In some embodiments, intake airvent 222 can be located on a top end of the module 220 as vent 226.

In some embodiments, a cooling module includes multiple cooling airvents on multiple different sides of the cooling module, where thecooling module can be coupled to multiple different inflatablestructures on the multiple different ends and can inflate the multipledifferent inflatable structures, to establish multiple differentinflatable enclosures coupled to multiple different ends of the coolingmodules. For example, module 220 can include the cooling air vent 224 asshown in FIG. 2A-B, with element 222 being another cooling air vent onan opposite side end of the module 220 with an intake air vent 226 on atop end of the module 220, so that intake air 260 can be drawn downwardsinto module 220 via vent 226 and can be discharged, as cooling air 260,out of cooling air vents 222, 224 located on different side ends of themodule 220. Separate inflatable structures 240 can be coupled to thedifferent side ends of the module 220 on which the different cooling airvents 222, 224 are located, so that the different inflatable structurescoupled to the different side ends of the module 220 can be inflated,thereby forming different inflatable enclosures in different spaces nextto the different side ends of the module 220, based on the separatestreams of cooling air discharged from the different vents 222, 224located on the different ends of the module 220 into the differentspaces.

In some embodiments, the cooling system 223 includes one or more coolingsystems which can at least partially condition intake air 260. Forexample, the cooling system 223 can include an active cooling system,which can include a mechanical cooling system. In another example, thecooling system 223 can include a direct evaporation cooling system. Inanother example, the cooling system 223 includes a free-cooling systemwhich passes intake air into the enclosure 245 as cooling air 270. Insome embodiments, cooling system 223 includes one or more air movingdevices which induce a flow of ambient air into the module 220 as intakeair 260 and can further induce a flow of one or more streams of coolingair 270 into the enclosure 245. In some embodiments, the cooling module220 is pre-fabricated module and includes components housed within ahousing which conforms to one or more standardized shipping containerform factors.

The inflatable structure 240 can include one or more exhaust air vents248 which discharge exhaust air 280, which has removed heat from one ormore heat generating components in the rack computer systems 250installed in the inflatable enclosure 247, into the ambient environment295.

In some embodiments, the inflatable structure 240 is at least partiallyinflated, such that the inflated inflatable structure 240 at leastpartially encloses the space 245 and establishes the inflatableenclosure 247 of space 245. Where the inflatable structure 240 iscoupled to at least one particular side of the cooling module 220 onwhich one or more cooling air vents 224 are located, the cooling air 270discharged by one or more cooling air vents 224 can at least partiallyinflate the structure 240, such that the inflatable enclosure 245 is atleast partially established. In some embodiments, one or more of thecooling air vents 224, exhaust vents 248, etc. are independentlycontrollable to maintain an overpressure of the inflatable enclosure247, relative to the ambient environment, within a particular range ofpressure.

In some embodiments, inflating the inflatable structure 240, so that theinflated inflatable structure at least partially encloses a particularspace 245 and thereby establishes an inflatable enclosure 247, enablesrapid deployment of an enclosure 247 in which rack computer systems 250can be installed and provide computing capacity. The cooling module 220can provide both the structural support for the inflatable enclosure247, via the cooling air 270 discharged into the enclosure 247 whichinflates the inflatable structure 240, and cooling support to the rackcomputer systems 250 installed in the enclosure 247. In addition,electrical modules 230 can be coupled to the structure 240 and provideboth at least some infrastructure support to the rack computer systems250 and at least some anchoring of the inflatable structure 240, suchthat the inflatable structure 240 is secured over the particular space245 which is enclosed by the inflatable structure 240. In someembodiments, both the cooling module 220 and the electrical module 230are coupled to the inflatable structure 240, such that the modulescollectively anchor the inflatable structure 240 over the particularspace 245.

In some embodiments, the inflatable structure 240 can be coupled to thecooling modules 230 and can be stored, in a compact, deflated state, aspart of the cooling module 220, so that the inflatable structure 240 canbe transported with the cooling module 220 and delivered to a datacenter site 210 with the cooling module 220. Deployment of theinflatable structure 240 can include positioning the cooling module 220at a site 210 and activating at least a portion of the cooling systems223 included in the module 220, so that the cooling module 220 providescooling air 270 via one or more cooling air vents 224 and at leastpartially inflates the inflatable structure 240 which is coupled to thecooling module 220. In some embodiments, the inflatable structure 240 iscoupled to a particular side of the cooling module 220 which includesone or more of the cooling air vents 224, so that inducing a stream ofcooling air 270 via one or more cooling air vents 224 on the particularside at least partially inflates the inflatable structure 240.

In some embodiments, a data center includes one or more instances ofstructural support infrastructure installed in the inflatable enclosure.The instances of structural support infrastructure can be installed inthe inflatable enclosure subsequent to at least partially inflating theinflatable structure. In some embodiments, installed instances ofstructural support infrastructure can provide at least some structuralsupport of the inflated inflatable structure in an inflatedconfiguration. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, support structure 233can provide at least partial structural support of the inflatablestructure 240 in the inflated state, thereby providing at least partialstructural support of the inflatable enclosure 247, such that theinflatable structure 240 is precluded from collapsing entirely on theinstalled rack computer systems 250 if the cooling module 220 at leastpartially ceases providing cooling air 270 into the space 245. In someembodiments, installed instances of structural support infrastructurecan provide at least some structural support of one or more instances ofsupport infrastructure installed in the enclosure. For example, as shownin FIG. 2A, support structure 233 can structurally support one or moreinstances 232 of infrastructure support, including electrical powertransmission lines, network communication conduits, lighting fixtures,etc. in the enclosure 247.

In some embodiments, a data center includes an inflatable structure 240which includes one or more additional vestibules which are coupled to aportal structure which includes one or more doorways through which anoperator can pass through in order to enter or exit the enclosure 247from an external environment, which can include the ambient environment295. In some embodiments, various components can be moved into theinflatable enclosure 247, following inflation of structure 240, via adoorway included in the portal structure, including at least some of oneor more of rack computer systems 250, infrastructure 232, 233, somecombination thereof, etc.

In some embodiments, a data center includes a cover structure, installedover the inflatable enclosure, which diverts environmental elements inthe ambient environment, including precipitation, particulate matter,etc., from entering the inflatable enclosure through one or more exhaustvents in the inflatable structure. As shown in FIG. 2B, data center 200can include a cover structure 290, which is structurally supported byone or more sets of posts 292 over the inflated structure 240 andprevents environmental elements from entering the enclosure 247 fromenvironment 295 via vent 248. For example, vent 248 can include one ormore gaps in the structure 240 through which air can pass, and cover 290can shield the vent 248 from environmental elements. As shown, exhaustair 280 exiting the enclosure 248 via the vent 248 can exit into theenvironment 295 via passing between the cover 290 and the structure 240into the environment 295. The cover 290, in some embodiments, is atleast partially structurally supported by the inflatable structure 240,and thus can be at least partially structurally supported by air withinthe enclosure 247 which is at least partially structurally supportingthe inflated structure 240.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a cooling module which includesmultiple independently controllable air moving devices and cooling airvents, according to some embodiments. The cooling module shown in FIG. 3can be included in any of the embodiments of data centers included inany of the embodiments herein.

In some embodiments, a cooling module which can be included in aninflatable data center, and which can provide cooling air which at leastpartially inflates an inflatable structure to establish an inflatableenclosure in which rack computer systems can be installed, includes aset of independently controllable cooling air vents which each candirect separate streams of cooling air along separate flow pathways. Theseparate flow pathways can be parallel, as the separate cooling airvents can be located on a common side of the cooling module. Eachcooling air vent can include a separate set of louvers and one or moreactuator mechanisms which can be independently controlled, via one ormore communicatively coupled computer systems, to adjust the position ofthe louvers which can, as a result, adjust the flow of cooling airthrough the respective cooling air vent. In some embodiments, a coolingmodule can be positioned adjacent to a set of particular spaces, suchthat separate flow pathways along which separate streams of cooling airare directed from separate cooling air vents are at least partiallyaligned with separate particular spaces.

In some embodiments, a cooling module which can be included in aninflatable data center, and which can provide cooling air which at leastpartially inflates an inflatable structure to establish an inflatableenclosure in which rack computer systems can be installed, includes aset of independently controllable cooling systems which each can induceseparate streams of cooling air. The separate cooling air streams can bedirected out of separate cooling air vents, such that the separatecooling systems can be independently controlled to independently adjustthe flow of cooling air provided into separate cooling air pathways. Theseparate cooling systems can include separate sets of air moving deviceswhich can be independently controlled, via one or more drive motors,etc. to adjust the flow rate of cooling air discharged via one or morecooling air vents into one or more flow pathways.

Cooling module 300 includes a particular side 302 on which separatecooling air vents 350A-D are located and multiple separate portions320A-D which include a separate cooling air vent 350 and a separatecooling system 330. Each cooling module portion 320A-D includes aseparate cooling system 330A-D which can adjustably induce a separatecooling air stream and a separate cooling air vent 350A-D which canadjustably discharge the separate cooling air streams into separatecooling air flow pathways 310A-D. Because the cooling systems andcooling air vents in the separate cooling module portions can beindependently controlled, the discharge of cooling air streams into eachof the separate flow pathways 310A-D can be independently controlledbased at least in part upon independently controlling one or more of thecooling systems and cooling air vents. In some embodiments, the coolingair vents 350 and cooling systems 330 in separate cooling moduleportions 320 can be separately and independently controlled via one ormore computer systems 380 which are communicatively coupled to themodule 300 via one or more instances of communication pathways 382.

Each cooling air flow pathway can be based upon the position andorientation of the separate cooling air vents 350. As shown, the coolingair vents 350A-D are each located on a common particular side 302 of thecooling air module and are each facing, in parallel, in a commondirection. As a result, the corresponding flow pathways 310A-D areparallel in orientation.

A cooling system 330 in a cooling module portion 320 can include a setof air moving devices 340 which can collectively induce a flow of airthrough the respective module portion 320. The cooling system 330 caninclude one or more active cooling systems, free-cooling systems, somecombination thereof, etc. which at least partially condition air flowingthrough the cooling system 330.

In some embodiments, air flow induced by the air moving devices 340included in a given cooling system 330 in a given cooling module portion320 can be directed into a flow pathway 310 which corresponds to aseparate module portion 320, via a cooling air vent of the separatemodule portion 320. As a result, air moving devices 340 in multipleseparate cooling module portions 320 can induce airflow which isdischarged via a common cooling air vent in a particular cooling moduleportion. In some embodiments, the separate module portions 320 arepartitioned from each other, such that cooling air flow streams inducedby cooling systems 330 in separate portions 320 are discharged from themodule 300 separately into separate flow pathways 310A-D.

In some embodiments, a cooling module 300 includes, in one or more ofthe cooling module portions 320A-D, one or more attachment components360A-D, also referred to herein as connectors, which can couple with oneor more inflatable structures, such that the one or more inflatablestructures are coupled to a particular side 302 of the cooling module300 on which one or more cooling air vents 350A-D are located. Separateinflatable structures can be coupled to separate attachment components360A-D on separate cooling module portions 320A-D, so that a givenindividual inflatable structure coupled to a given cooling moduleportion 320A-D can be inflated by cooling air discharged into a separatecorresponding flow pathway 310A-D by a separate corresponding coolingair vent 350A-D of the given cooling module portion 320A-D. In someembodiments, an individual inflatable structure can be coupled toattachment components 360A-D of multiple separate cooling moduleportions 320A-D, so that the inflatable structure can be at leastpartially inflated by cooling air streams discharged from separatecooling air vents 350A-D of separate cooling module portions 320A-D.

FIG. 4A-D illustrate orthogonal views of a data center which includes aninflatable enclosure which is inflated by cooling air discharged from acooling module and in which rack computer systems and infrastructure areinstalled, according to some embodiments.

In some embodiments, a data center is rapidly deployed at a data centersite via inflation of at least one inflatable structure over aparticular space at the site, thereby establishing an inflatableenclosure of the site in which rack computer systems can be installed.The inflatable enclosure can be established more quickly than a fixedenclosure structure can be constructed, thereby enabling rapiddeployment of computing capacity at the site.

FIG. 4A illustrates a cooling module 420 being positioned at aparticular location 411 at a data center site 410, where the particularlocation 411 is adjacent to a particular end 418 of a particular space412 in which computing capacity is to be deployed, via installation ofrack computer systems in the space 412. As shown, the cooling module 420includes a cooling air vent 421, which is located on a particular side422 of the module 420. The cooling module 420 is positioned at the site410, in the location 411, in a particular orientation such that theparticular side 422, along with the vents 421 included thereon, isadjacent to an end 418 of the particular space 412.

In some embodiments, the cooling module 420 includes a compactedinflatable structure 430 which is coupled to at least the particularside 422 of the module 420. Positioning the module 420 in location 411at an orientation which positions side 422 adjacent to an end 418 of theparticular space 412 positions the compacted inflatable structure 430adjacent to the same end 418 of the same particular space 412.

In some embodiments, based on positioning the module 420 in the location411, the inflatable structure 430 can be extended, in a deflated stateacross at least a portion of the particular space 412 at the site 410.FIG. 4B illustrates the deflated inflatable structure 430 beingextended, from the module 420 positioned at location 411, across thespace 412. The inflatable structure 430 remains coupled to theparticular side 422 of the cooling module 420, so that the inflatablestructure 430 can be at least partially inflated by cooling airdischarged by the one or more cooling air vents 421 located on theparticular side 422 of the cooling module adjacent to the end 418 of theparticular space 412.

In some embodiments, the inflatable structure 430 can be extended acrossthe particular space 412 and anchored, at an end 417 which is oppositefrom the end 418 of the space 412 which is adjacent to the module 420,so that the inflatable structure 430 is secured over space 412. Theinflatable structure 430 can be anchored, at end 417, such that anairtight seal is established between structure 430 and the surface ofsite 410.

FIG. 4C illustrates the inflatable structure 430 being inflated overspace 412, such that the inflatable structure 430 establishes aninflatable enclosure 440 of space 412, based on cooling air 464discharged by the cooling vent 421 of the cooling module 420 into theenclosure 440. The cooling module 420 can include one or morecomponents, including one or more air moving devices, cooling systems,etc. which induce a stream of intake air 462 to flow into the module 420and can be discharged, as cooling air 464, into the enclosure of space412 via vents 421. Because the inflatable structure 430 can be coupledto the particular side 422 of the module 420 on which the vents 421 arelocated, discharging the stream of cooling air 464 out of the vents 421inflates the structure 430 and establishes the inflatable enclosure 440.

In some embodiments, the inflatable structure 430 includes one or moreair vents 450 which discharge at least some air in the enclosure 440into the ambient environment external to the enclosure 440. The vents450 can establish a dynamic pressure equilibrium between the inflatableenclosure and the ambient environment such that, for a given flow rateof cooling air into the enclosed space, the exhaust vents 450 dischargea similar flow rate of air into the ambient environment when theinternal pressure of the enclosure 440 reaches a particular threshold,such that the enclosed volume of the enclosure 440 remains static.

In some embodiments, the air 466 discharged into the ambient environmentby the vents 450 includes exhaust air which comprises cooling air whichhas removed heat from one or more heat generating components located inthe inflatable enclosure 440. As shown in FIG. 4C, the vents 450 can belocated at a position on the inflatable structure which positions thevents 450 at an upper position of the enclosure 440 when structure 430is inflated, such that the warmest air in the enclosure 440 moves to thevent 450 and is discharged into the ambient environment via the vent450, thereby preventing heat buildup in the enclosure 440.

FIG. 4D illustrates installation of rack computer systems 470 andinstances of support infrastructure 482, 484 in the inflatable enclosure440, where the rack computer systems and support infrastructure providecomputing capacity. The support infrastructure includes one or moreinstances of structural support infrastructure 482 which can include oneor more structural members which provide structural support to one ormore of the inflatable structure 430, one or more instances of supportinfrastructure etc. For example, as shown, structural infrastructure 482provides structural support to instances of infrastructure 484 whichcomprise electrical power infrastructure which provides electric alpower support to the rack computer systems 470. Cooling air 464discharged into enclosure 440 by the cooling module 420, which alsomaintains the inflation of the structure 430 which establishes theenclosure 440, further removes heat from one or more heat generatingcomponents of one or more rack computer systems 470 in the enclosure440, thereby generating exhaust air 466 which is directed to the upperportion of the enclosure 440 where the exhaust air can be dischargedinto the ambient environment via one or more vents 450.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a data center which includes aninflatable structure spanning an inflatable enclosure between a coolingmodule located at one end of the inflatable enclosure and an electricalmodule located at an opposite end of the inflatable enclosure, accordingto some embodiments.

In some embodiments, an inflatable enclosure of a space, in which one ormore rack computer systems can be installed, is at least partiallyestablished by an inflatable structure which is extended between atleast two separate infrastructure modules positioned adjacent toopposite ends of the space, such that the inflatable enclosure isbounded on an upper side by the inflated inflatable structure andbounded on at least two sides by the separate infrastructure modulesbetween which the inflatable structure extends. The inflatable enclosurecan be exposed, at one or more sides, to the ambient environment. Suchan inflatable enclosure can be rapidly established and expanded, therebyproviding rapid deployment of an enclosure in which rack computersystems can be installed.

Data center 500 includes a data center site 501 at which a coolingmodule 510 and an electrical module 520 are positioned adjacent toopposite ends 511, 512 of a particular space 550, and an inflatablestructure 530, which includes exhaust air vents 535, is coupled toconnectors 521, 522 extending along separate sides of the modules 510,520 which are adjacent to the space 550, such that the inflatablestructure 530 extends over space 550 between the separate modules 510,520.

Inflatable structure 530 is inflated, such that the structure 530 atleast partially establishes an inflatable enclosure of space 550.Structure 530 is at least partially inflated based on cooling airdischarged into space 550 by cooling module 510. As shown, the inflatedstructure 530 at least partially establishes an upper boundary of theinflatable enclosure of space 550, and modules 510, 520 establish atleast two side boundaries of the enclosure. As shown, at least one sideboundary of the inflatable enclosure, where the boundary extends along aboundary of space 550 which extends orthogonally to the ends 511, 512,is unenclosed by the modules 510, 520 and structure 530. The unenclosedboundary can be enclosed by one or more sidewall structures 560 whichcan be installed at the site 801.

Separate rows 540 of rack computer systems are installed in theinflatable enclosure of space 550. Each row 540 is coupled to electricalmodule 520 via one or more instances of infrastructure support 524,which can include one or more electrical power transmission lines, oneor more network communication conduits, some combination thereof, etc.,such that the respective row of rack computer systems 540 receiveselectrical power and network communication support via electrical module520. In addition, each row 540 of rack computer systems receives coolingsupport from at least a portion of the cooling module 510 via thecooling air discharged by the module 510 into the space 550, where thecooling air discharged into space 550 at least partially inflatesstructure 530, thereby at least partially establishing the inflatableenclosure of space 550 in which the rows 540 of rack computer systemsare installed.

In some embodiments, the data center includes one or more additionalsidewall structures which enclose side boundaries of the space 550 whichare unenclosed by the infrastructure modules 510, 520 and the inflatedinflatable structure 530. As shown in FIG. 5, a sidewall structure 560can extend along an end of space 550 which is unenclosed by modules 510,520 and structure 530. The sidewall structure can provide securityprotection to the rack computer systems included in one or more of therows 540 in space 550, based at least in part upon obstructing exterioraccess to space 550.

In some embodiments, additional infrastructure modules and inflatablestructure can be installed in a data center to progressively expand theinfrastructure support capacity of the data center, the enclosed spaceof the data center, and the computing capacity of the data center. Suchexpansion can include positioning one or more additional infrastructuremodules at the data center site at a position which is adjacent to anadditional particular space, where the additional particular space isadjacent to an inflatable enclosure, and establishing an inflatableenclosure of the additional particular space.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 5, additionalinfrastructure modules 590 can be positioned at locations adjacent toadditional space 570, where additional space 570 is adjacent to an endof space 550 which is unenclosed by modules 510, 520, and structure 530,so that an inflatable structure can be extended over, and inflated over,space 570 to establish an inflatable enclosure of space 570, therebyresulting in data center 500 including two adjacent inflatableenclosures of spaces 550, 570. As further shown, additional module 590can be adjacent to both space 570 and installed infrastructure module520. Module 590 can be a common infrastructure as the adjacentinfrastructure module, such that infrastructure support provided by theadditional module 590 can be provided to one or more rack computersystems via the previously-installed infrastructure module. For example,where module 520 is an electrical module, additional module 590 can bean electrical module which is electrically coupled to electrical module520, so that module 590 can provide one or more of electrical powersupport and network communication support to the rack computer systems540 installed in space 550 via module 520 and instances ofinfrastructure 524. As a result, in some embodiments, where additionalinfrastructure support is needed to support rack computer systemsinstalled in a given space enclosed by an inflatable enclosure, and anadditional enclosed space is not required, an additional infrastructuremodule 590 can be positioned at site 501 and coupled to apreviously-installed infrastructure module 510, 520 which is configuredto provide a common type of infrastructure support, such that theadditional infrastructure module 590 can provide infrastructure supportto the rack computer systems in the enclosed space via one or morepreviously-installed infrastructure modules 510, 520.

In some embodiments, a data center includes one or more portal modules,also referred to as security modules, which include one or more doorsthrough which an operator can pass to enter or exit the inflatableenclosure from an external environment. As shown in FIG. 5, a securitymodule 526 which includes an extension of connector 522 is coupled tothe electrical module 520, so that connector 522 is formed from acoupling of respective connectors of modules 520, 526. The inflatablestructure 530 is extended along the connector 522, so that one end ofthe structure 530 is coupled to both modules 520, 526. As shown, module526 includes a doorway 527 through which an operator can pass to enteror exit the enclosure of space 550.

In some embodiments, various components can be moved into or out of theinflatable enclosure of space 550, following inflation of structure 530,via the doorway 527 of module 526, including at least some of one ormore of rack computer systems included in rows 540, infrastructure 524,some combination thereof, etc.

In some embodiments, multiple separate inflatable structures areextended over separate particular spaces at the data center site, sothat each separate inflatable structure encloses at least a separateupper boundary of a separate particular space and the multipleinflatable structure collectively enclose the upper boundary of thecontiguous particular spaces. The separate inflatable structures can becoupled together to establish a single collective inflatable structure.

FIG. 6A-D illustrate a data center which includes an inflatableenclosure which is progressively expanded, according to someembodiments. The data center shown in FIG. 6A-D can include any of theembodiments of inflatable structures, infrastructure modules, etc.included herein.

In some embodiments, an inflatable enclosure of a data center can beprogressively expanded, over time, to progressively enclose additionalspace in which rack computer systems can be installed. As a result, thesize of the inflatable enclosure can be tailored to correspond to thequantity of rack computer systems installed in the data center, and theenclosure can be rapidly expanded to enclose additional space asadditional space is needed in which to install additional rack computersystems, instances of support infrastructure, etc.

Because the amount of cooling air required to maintain inflation of theinflatable enclosure can be associated with the volume of the inflatableenclosure, an inflatable enclosure which encloses a minimally-sufficientamount of space which is minimally sufficient to accommodate the rackcomputer systems installed in the data center can result in a moreefficient use of cooling infrastructure resources than inflating aninflatable enclosure which is of sufficient size to accommodate themaximum quantity of rack computer systems which can be installed in thedata center but results in excess, unused space when the number of rackcomputer systems installed in the data center is progressively expandedbased on computing requirements at the data center.

Because the enclosure is inflatable, expansion of the inflatableenclosure can be more rapid than expansion of an enclosure establishedby a fixed structure, as the expansion can include extending aninflatable structure across the additional space through which theinflatable enclosure is to be expanded and inflating the inflatablestructure in the additional space.

FIG. 6A-D illustrates establishing an inflatable enclosure over aparticular space at data center site and installing at least one rackcomputer system in the particular space, and progressively expanding theinflatable enclosure over additional spaces at the data center site,where additional rack computer systems are installed in the additionalspaces. Rack computer systems are installed a particular space as theinflatable enclosure expands such that the inflatable enclosure at leastpartially encloses the particular space.

FIG. 6A shows a top-down view of a data center site 600 which includes aset of spaces 630A-D. A cooling module 610 is positioned at a locationat site 600 which positions the module 610 adjacent to a particular end617A of the spaces 630A-D. Cooling module 610 includes multiple coolingmodule portions 612A-D which correspond to the separate spaces 630A-D.Each separate module portion 612A-D includes a separate cooling system614, which can include a separate set of air moving devices. Eachseparate module portion 612A-D includes a separate cooling air vent 616which discharges a separate cooling air stream induced by the respectivecooling system 614 of the respective portion 612A-D. As shown, eachseparate cooling air vent 616 can discharge a separate cooling airstream, induced by a separate cooling system, into a separate space 630.In particular, each separate cooling air vent 616 can discharge separatecooling air streams, in parallel, into four separate spaces 630A-D.

As shown, cooling module 610 is positioned at a particular location andorientation at site 600 which results in the particular side of module610 on which the vents 616 are located being adjacent to a particularend 617A of each of the particular spaces 630A-D of the site 600, wherethe module 610 is positioned so that each separate cooling air vent 616of the separate portions 612A-D can discharge a separate stream ofcooling air into a separate space 630A-D.

As shown, an electrical module 620 is positioned at a particularorientation at site 600 which results in a side of the electrical module620 which is configured to couple with one or more instances 624 ofinstructor support being adjacent to a particular end 617B of each ofthe particular spaces 630A-D of the site 600. As shown, the electricalmodule 620 is positioned at a location which is adjacent to an end 617Bof the spaces 630A-D which is opposite from the end 617A of the spaces630A-D to which the cooling module 610 is adjacently positioned. Asshown, the particular end 617A of the spaces 630A-D to which the coolingmodule 610 is adjacent is an opposite end of the spaces 630A-D, relativeto the particular end 617B of the spaces 630A-D to which the electricalmodule 620 is adjacently positioned, such that opposite ends 617A-B ofeach particular space 630A-D are adjacent to a separate one of thecooling module 610 and the electrical module 620.

In some embodiments, an inflatable structure can be extended, over aparticular space at a data center site, between separate infrastructuremodules coupled to opposite ends of the particular space, such that theinflatable structure encloses at least an upper end of the particularspace of the data center site. Cooling air can be discharged into the atleast partially enclosed space, from at least one cooling air vent of atleast one cooling module, so that the cooling air inflates theinflatable structure and the inflated structure establishes aninflatable enclosure of the particular space.

Extending an inflatable structure over a particular space betweenseparate infrastructure modules coupled to opposite ends of theparticular space can include coupling the inflatable structure to eachof the separate infrastructure modules. As shown at FIG. 6A, coolingmodule 610 includes a connector 618 which extends along the particularside of the module 610 on which the cooling air vents 616 are locatedand which is located adjacent to a particular end 617A of each of theparticular spaces 630A-D. In addition, electrical module 620 includes aconnector 622 which extends along the particular side of the module 620which is located adjacent to another particular end 617B of each of theparticular spaces 630A-D.

As shown in FIG. 6A, an inflatable structure 635 is coupled to theportion of the connector 618 which is included in module portion 612Aand is extended over the particular space 630A adjacent to portion 612Aof module 610. Inflatable structure 635 is further coupled, at anopposite end relative to the end coupled to connector 618, to a portionof the connector 622 of the electrical module 620 which is adjacent tothe end of space 630A which is adjacent to module 620. As a result,inflatable structure 635 extends over space 630A between modules 610,620, such that the inflatable structure 635A establishes an upperboundary of an enclosure of space 630A.

The cooling system 614 included in module portion 612A can induce astream of cooling air, which can be discharged by cooling air vent 616of portion 612A into space 630A enclosed, at least on an upper boundaryof an enclosure of space 630A, by inflatable structure 635. Thedischarged cooling air in space 630A can inflate the structure 635,thereby establishing an inflatable enclosure of space 630A. As furthershown in FIG. 6A, a row of rack computer systems 640A is installed inthe inflatable enclosure of space 630A, and an instance ofinfrastructure support 624 is installed in space 630A to couple the rowof rack computer systems 640A to electrical module 620, such that theinstalled row of rack computer systems 640A receive cooling support viathe cooling module portion 610 and electrical and network communicationsupport via the electrical module 620.

As shown in FIG. 6A, inflatable structure 635 extends to a boundary 636Abetween spaces 630A and 630B. In some embodiments, inflatable structure635 includes a horizontally-oriented portion which extends over space630A, and establishes an upper boundary of an inflatable enclosure ofspace 630A and a vertically-oriented portion which extends along theboundary 636A and at least partially establishes a side boundary of theinflatable enclosure of space 630A.

In some embodiments, an inflatable enclosure is progressively expandedfrom the initially enclosed space 630A to enclose additional spaces630B-D. Each progressive expansion can be associated with adetermination that additional computing capacity is needed at site 600,such that an additional row of rack computer systems 640 is required tobe installed at the site 600 and an additional space 630 is required tobe enclosed to support the additionally-installed rack computer systems.

FIG. 6B-D illustrate progressively expanding the inflatable enclosure toenclose spaces 630A-D. Each expansion can include extending at least oneinflatable structure 635 over the additional spaces 630 at the site,inflating the at least one inflatable structure 635 over the additionalspaces 630, and installing one or more rows of rack computer systems640A-D in the enclosed additional spaces, where the installing includesinstalling separate instances of infrastructure support 624A-D couplingthe rows 640A-D to the electrical module 620.

As shown at FIG. 6B, the inflatable structure 635 is extended fromenclosing space 630A to boundary 636B so that the structure 635additionally encloses space 630B, so that structure 635 encloses atleast the upper boundary of spaces 630A-B. Cooling air streams can bedischarged into spaces 630A-B, via separate cooling air vents 616 ofseparate cooling module portions 612A-B, such that the inflatableenclosure is expanded to comprise a contiguous inflatable enclosure ofspaces 630A-B. As further shown in FIG. 6B, an additional row of rackcomputer systems 640B is installed in the enclosed space 630B andcoupled to electrical module 620 via instances 624A-B. FIGS. 6C and 6Dfurther illustrate progressively extending the inflatable structure overspace 630C, to boundary 636C, and space 630D, to boundary 636D, so that,at FIG. 6D, the inflatable structure 635 encloses an upper boundary ofspaces 630A-D, the structure 635 is inflated by cooling air dischargedfrom cooling air vents 616 of cooling module 610, and a row of rackcomputer systems 640 is installed in each space 630 enclosed by theinflatable enclosure.

In some embodiments, extending the inflatable structure 635 overadditional spaces 630A-D of the site 600 includes extending oppositeends of the structure 635 along connectors 618, 622 of infrastructuremodules 610, 620 positioned adjacent to opposite ends of the spaces630A-D. In some embodiments, connectors 618, 622 each comprise aseparate rail structure along which a separate end of the inflatablestructure 635 can be extended.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of inflatable structures whichenclose multiple, separate adjacent inflatable enclosures, according tosome embodiments. The inflatable structures can be included in any ofthe embodiments of inflatable structures included herein.

A collective inflatable enclosure 700 which collectively enclosesmultiple adjacent inflatable enclosures of multiple adjacent spaces710A-D includes multiple separate inflatable structures 720A-D, whereeach separate inflatable structure 720 establishes an inflatableenclosure of a separate space 710, and the separate inflatablestructures 720A-D are coupled together to establish the collectiveinflatable enclosure 700.

A separate row of rack computer systems 730A-D is installed in eachseparate space 710A-D. In addition, each separate inflatable structure720A-D includes a horizontally-oriented portions 722A-D and avertically-oriented portion 724A-D. The horizontally-oriented portion722 of a given inflatable structure can enclose an upper boundary of agiven space 710, and the vertically-oriented portion 724 of the giveninflatable structure can enclose at least one side boundary of the givenspace. In some embodiments, each inflatable structure 720 includes avertically-oriented portion 724 which extends along a boundary betweenseparate spaces 730.

In some embodiments, each separate inflatable structure 720A-D includesa set of connectors 726 which couple one or more portions of the giveninflatable structure to one or more portions of another inflatablestructure, such that the coupled inflatable structures collectivelyestablish an inflatable enclosure of multiple adjacent spaces. As shown,the inflatable structures 720A-D are each coupled together, at adjacentconnectors 726, such that the coupled structures 720A-D collectivelyestablish an inflatable enclosure 700. In some embodiments, theconnectors 726 are included in the horizontally-oriented portion 722A-Dof the respective structures 720A-D. For example, coupling inflatablestructure 720A to inflatable structure 720B via connectors 726 includedin the portions 722A-B of the respective structures 720A-B results incoupling the portions 722A-B of the respective structures. A connector726 can include one or more various types of connectors, including a setof Velcro connectors on separate structures 720 which can coupletogether to couple the structures 720, a set of hook and loopconnectors, a set of zipper connectors, hanger links, etc.

In some embodiments, a vertically-oriented portion 724 of an inflatablestructure 720 is removably coupled to the horizontally-oriented portion722 of the structure 720, such that the portion 724 can be decoupledfrom portion 722 of a structure 720 when the given structure is coupledto another inflatable structure, such that the coupled inflatablestructures 720 collectively enclose a continuous combination of adjacentspaces without an internal partition between the adjacent spaces. Forexample, where inflatable structure 720B is coupled to structure 720A,via coupling connectors 726 of horizontally-oriented portions 722A-Btogether, the vertically-oriented portion 724A of structure 720A can bedecoupled from portion 722A, such that the horizontally-orientedportions 722A-B of structures 720A-B at least partially establish aninflatable enclosure of spaces 710A-B which does not include an interiorpartition between the spaces 710A-B.

FIG. 8 illustrates a data center which includes multiple modules whichbound an interior space which is at least partially enclosed by aninflatable structure, according to some embodiments.

In some embodiments, a data center includes a set of rigid modules whichare arranged in a configuration which surrounds a particular space andan inflatable structure which encloses an upper portion of the space.The rigid modules can include various quantities of modules, so that anarrangement of rigid modules which surrounds a particular space can haveone or more various shapes. For example, the data center 800 shown inFIG. 8 includes a set of six rigid modules 810A-F which are arranged tosurround a particular space 820, so that the particular space 820 ishexagonal in shape.

In some embodiments, a data center includes an inflatable structurewhich is coupled to at least some of the rigid modules arranged tosurround the particular space, so that the inflatable structure, wheninflated by cooling air discharged by one or more cooling modulesincluded in the rigid modules, establishes an inflatable enclosure ofthe particular space. The inflatable structure can be coupled to each ofthe rigid modules, such that the inflatable structure is anchored onevery side of the particular space. In the illustrated embodiment, forexample, the data center 800 includes an inflatable structure 830 whichincludes separate sets of connectors 840 on separate edges, where eachseparate set of connectors 840 can be coupled to a separate module ofthe rigid modules 810A-F, so that the inflatable structure 830 issecured to each of the rigid modules 810. In some embodiments, each setof connectors 840 on the separate edges of the inflatable structure 830is configured to establish an airtight seal between the respectiveinflatable structure edge and the corresponding rigid module to whichthe connectors are coupled. As a result, coupling each set of connectorson the separate edges of the inflatable structure 830 to the separaterigid modules can establish an airtight seal between the inflatablestructure 830 and the rigid modules 810.

The arrangement of rigid modules can include multiple separate housingswhich include different sets of components which provide different typesof infrastructure support. For example, rigid modules 810A, 810C, and810E can each include a separate cooling system and each discharge aseparate cooling air stream into space 820 via separate, independentlycontrollable sets of cooling air vents. In another example, rigidmodules 810B and 810D can each include separate power distributioncomponents and network communication components and each provideelectrical power support and network communication support to at leastsome of a set of rack computer systems installed in space 820. Inanother example, rigid module 810F can include an office space whichincludes computer systems which can provide operators with information,via one or more display interfaces, regarding one or more of coolingsupport, electrical power support, network communication support of oneor more rack computer systems installed in the space 820. It will beunderstood that other arrangements of cooling systems, powerdistribution components, network communication components, and officespaces within the various rigid modules surrounding the enclosed spaceare encompassed herein.

FIG. 9 illustrates deploying a data center, according to someembodiments. The deploying can be implemented with regard to any of thedata centers included in any of the embodiments included herein.

At 902, a particular space is established at a particular site. The sitecan include a prepared surface, including a concrete surface, which isconfigured to structurally support one or more of rack computer systems,power distribution components, network communication components, etc. Insome embodiments, the particular site is a site at which a data centeris to be deployed; such a site can be referred to as a data center site.

In some embodiments, establishing a particular space includesestablishing a set of particular spaces at the site, such that at leasta portion of the particular site is partitioned into multiple separateparticular spaces. The multiple spaces can be contiguous, such that atleast some of the spaces are adjacent to each other. Each separate spacecan have a size and shape which is configured to accommodate a separateset of one or more rows of rack computer systems and associatedinstances of support infrastructure, including power transmission lines,network communication conduits, support structures, lighting, etc.

At 904, one or more infrastructure modules are positioned, at theparticular site, adjacent to at least one end of the particular space.Infrastructure modules can each include a module which includescomponents configured to provide at least one instance of infrastructuresupport performance of computing operations by one or more rack computersystems.

For example, an infrastructure module can include a cooling module whichis configured to provide cooling support to one or more rack computersystems, where the cooling module includes one or more intake air ventswhich is configured to receive ambient air into the module, one or morecooling systems which is configured to condition the received intake airto generate cooling air, and one or more cooling air vents which isconfigured to discharge cooling air from the module.

In another example, an infrastructure module can include an electricalmodule which is configured to provide one or more of electrical powersupport, network communication support, etc. to rack computer systems.To be configured to provide electrical power support, the electricalmodule can include one or more of an electrical power feed connectorwhich can couple with an electrical power feed, one or more powerdistribution components, an electrical distribution feed connector whichcan couple with one or more rack computer systems via one or moreinstances of power transmission line infrastructure, etc. To beconfigured to provide network communication support, the electricalmodule can include one or more of a network switching device, networkcommunication interface, etc.

In some embodiments, positioning one or more infrastructure modulesincludes positioning one or more infrastructure modules at respectivelocations adjacent to one or more ends of the particular space. Forexample, a cooling module can be positioned at a location which isadjacent to one end of the particular space, and in an orientation suchthat one or more cooling air vents of the cooling module face towardsthe particular space. As a result, the cooling module can be positionedto configure the cooling module to discharge cooling air into theparticular space. In another example, a cooling module and electricalmodule are positioned at locations adjacent to opposite ends of theparticular space.

At 906, an inflatable structure is deployed over the particular space.Deploying the inflatable structure can include extending an initiallycompacted inflatable structure across the surface area of the portion ofthe particular site which establishes a lower surface of the particularspace.

In some embodiments, the inflatable structure comprises at least oneflexible sheet structure which can be coupled to at least oneinfrastructure module and extended from the infrastructure module acrossthe particular space and coupled to an anchoring structure on anopposite side of the particular space. The anchoring structure caninclude another separate infrastructure module, a stand-alone structure,an anchoring device which is secured on a surface, etc. In someembodiments, the inflatable structure is a balloon-type structure whichincludes material which encloses an interior, where gases can beintroduced into the interior to inflate the structure.

In some embodiments, deploying the inflatable structure can includecoupling one or more connectors of the inflatable structure to one ormore sides of an infrastructure module. The inflatable structure can becoupled to a particular side of a cooling module which includes one ormore cooling air vents, so that cooling air discharged by the one ormore cooling air vents can at least partially inflate the inflatablestructure.

At 908, the inflatable structure is inflated, so that the inflatedinflatable structure at least partially encloses the particular spaceand establishes an inflatable enclosure bounded by at least theinflatable structure. Inflation of the inflatable structure can includeoperating one or more cooling systems, air moving devices, cooling airvents, etc. in a cooling module positioned adjacent to the particularspace at 904, such that cooling air is discharged by one or more coolingair vents of the cooling module into the particular space and at leastpartially inflates the inflation structure.

At 910, one or more rack computer systems are installed in theinflatable enclosure, such that the rack computer systems can performcomputing operations. Installation of a rack computer system in theinflatable enclosure includes positioning one or more rack computersystems on the particular space which is enclosed in the inflatableenclosure and coupling the rack computer systems to one or moreinstances of power support infrastructure and network communicationinfrastructure, such that the rack computer systems are configured toreceive electrical power and are configured to communicate with one ormore communication networks. Installed rack computer systems can receivecooling support via the cooling air discharged by a cooling module intothe inflatable enclosure where, in addition to at least partiallyinflating the inflatable structure, the cooling air removes heat fromone or more heat generating components included in the one or more rackcomputer systems.

At 912 and 914, if additional space is needed to install one or moreadditional rack computer systems, an additional particular space at thesite is selected, and an inflatable structure is deployed over theadditional space. The inflatable structure deployed over the additionalspace can include the same inflatable structure deployed over theparticular space, where the inflatable structure is extended over theadditional space so that the inflatable structure extends over both theparticular space and the additional space. In some embodiments, anadditional inflatable structure is deployed over the additional space,such that the initial inflatable structure establishes the inflatableenclosure of the particular space and the additional inflatablestructure, when inflated, establishes an inflatable enclosure over theadditional space.

In some embodiments, an inflatable structure includes ahorizontally-oriented portion which is configured to enclose an upperportion of the inflatable enclosure and a vertically-oriented portionwhich is configured to enclose a side portion of the inflatableenclosure. The vertically-oriented portion can be reversibly detachablefrom the horizontally-oriented portion, and the horizontally-orientedportion can include one or more connectors which can be coupled with oneor more horizontally-oriented portions of one or more other inflatablestructures, such that extending the inflatable enclosure can includecoupling a horizontally-oriented portion of an additional inflatablestructure to a horizontally-oriented portion of a deployed and inflatedinflatable structure, and further decoupling the vertically-orientedportion of the deployed and inflated inflatable structure from the upperportion of the deployed inflatable structure, such that thehorizontally-oriented portions of the deployed inflatable structure andthe additional inflatable structure collectively establish a contiguousinflatable enclosure of both the particular space and the additionalspace.

In some embodiments, inflating an inflatable structure over anadditional space at 908 includes independently controlling one or morecooling systems, cooling vents, etc. included in one or more coolingmodules so that an independent stream of cooling air is discharged,separately from the cooling air stream discharged into the particularspace, into the additional space so that the inflatable structureextended over the additional space is at least partially inflated by acooling air stream discharged into the additional space. In someembodiments, one or more cooling systems are independently controlled toadjust the total flow of cooling air into the particular space andadditional space, based at least in part upon extension of theinflatable enclosure to enclose the additional space.

If in some embodiments, there is not enough infrastructure support,provided by at least one instance of infrastructure, one or moreadditional infrastructure modules are positioned at the data center sitesuch that sufficient infrastructure support to support the one or moreadditional rack computer systems is available at the data center site.Infrastructure modules configured to provide a common type ofinfrastructure support can be positioned adjacent to each other. Forexample, where a first cooling module is positioned adjacent to a firstend of the particular space, a second cooling module can be positionedadjacent to the first cooling module and to the first end of theparticular space, such that at least one particular side of each coolingmodule, which includes at least one cooling air vent, faces towards theparticular space.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example computer system thatmay be used in some embodiments.

In some embodiments, a system that implements a portion or all of one ormore of the technologies, including but not limited to a portion or allof providing independent control of separate cooling systems, air movingdevices, cooling air vents of one or more cooling modules, independentcontrol of one or more exhaust vents included in one or more inflatablestructures, and various methods, systems, components, devices, andapparatuses as described herein, may include a general-purpose computersystem that includes or is configured to access one or morecomputer-accessible media, such as computer system 1000 illustrated inFIG. 10. In the illustrated embodiment, computer system 1000 includesone or more processors 1010 coupled to a system memory 1020 via aninput/output (I/O) interface 1030. Computer system 1000 further includesa network interface 1040 coupled to I/O interface 1030.

In various embodiments, computer system 1000 may be a uniprocessorsystem including one processor 1010, or a multiprocessor systemincluding several processors 1010 (e.g., two, four, eight, or anothersuitable number). Processors 1010 may be any suitable processors capableof executing instructions. For example, in various embodiments,processors 1010 may be general-purpose or embedded processorsimplementing any of a variety of instruction set architectures (ISAs),such as the x86, PowerPC, SPARC, or MIPS ISAs, or any other suitableISA. In multiprocessor systems, each of processors 1010 may commonly,but not necessarily, implement the same ISA.

System memory 1020 may be configured to store instructions and dataaccessible by processor(s) 1010. In various embodiments, system memory1020 may be implemented using any suitable memory technology, such asstatic random access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM),nonvolatile/Flash-type memory, or any other type of memory. In theillustrated embodiment, program instructions and data implementing oneor more desired functions, such as a portion or all of providingindependent control of separate cooling systems, air moving devices,cooling air vents of one or more cooling modules, independent control ofone or more exhaust vents included in one or more inflatable structures,and various methods, systems, components, devices, and apparatuses asdescribed herein, are shown stored within system memory 1020 as code1025 and data 1026.

In one embodiment, I/O interface 1030 may be configured to coordinateI/O traffic between processor 1010, system memory 1020, and anyperipheral devices in the device, including network interface 1040 orother peripheral interfaces. In some embodiments, I/O interface 1030 mayperform any necessary protocol, timing or other data transformations toconvert data signals from one component (e.g., system memory 1020) intoa format suitable for use by another component (e.g., processor 1010).In some embodiments, I/O interface 1030 may include support for devicesattached through various types of peripheral buses, such as a variant ofthe Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus standard or theUniversal Serial Bus (USB) standard, for example. In some embodiments,the function of I/O interface 1030 may be split into two or moreseparate components, such as a north bridge and a south bridge, forexample. Also, in some embodiments some or all of the functionality ofI/O interface 1030, such as an interface to system memory 1020, may beincorporated directly into processor 1010.

Network interface 1040 may be configured to allow data to be exchangedbetween computer system 1000 and other devices 1060 attached to anetwork or networks 1050, such as other computer systems or devices asillustrated in FIGS. 1 through 9, for example. In various embodiments,network interface 1040 may support communication via any suitable wiredor wireless general data networks, such as types of Ethernet network,for example. Additionally, network interface 1040 may supportcommunication via telecommunications/telephony networks such as analogvoice networks or digital fiber communications networks, via storagearea networks such as Fibre Channel SANs, or via any other suitable typeof network and/or protocol.

In some embodiments, system memory 1020 may be one embodiment of acomputer-accessible medium configured to store program instructions anddata for implementing embodiments of methods as described above relativeto FIGS. 1-9. In other embodiments, program instructions and/or data maybe received, sent or stored upon different types of computer-accessiblemedia. Generally speaking, a computer-accessible medium may includenon-transitory storage media or memory media such as magnetic or opticalmedia, e.g., disk or DVD/CD coupled to computer system 1000 via I/Ointerface 1030. A non-transitory computer-accessible storage medium mayalso include any volatile or non-volatile media such as RAM (e.g. SDRAM,DDR SDRAM, RDRAM, SRAM, etc.), ROM, etc., that may be included in someembodiments of computer system 1000 as system memory 1020 or anothertype of memory. Further, a computer-accessible medium may includetransmission media or signals such as electrical, electromagnetic, ordigital signals, conveyed via a communication medium such as a networkand/or a wireless link, such as may be implemented via network interface1040.

Various embodiments may further include receiving, sending or storinginstructions and/or data implemented in accordance with the foregoingdescription upon a computer-accessible medium. Generally speaking, acomputer-accessible medium may include storage media or memory mediasuch as magnetic or optical media, e.g., disk or DVD/CD-ROM, volatile ornon-volatile media such as RAM (e.g. SDRAM, DDR, RDRAM, SRAM, etc.),ROM, etc., as well as transmission media or signals such as electrical,electromagnetic, or digital signals, conveyed via a communication mediumsuch as network and/or a wireless link.

The various methods as illustrated in the Figures and described hereinrepresent example embodiments of methods. The methods may be implementedin software, hardware, or a combination thereof. The order of method maybe changed, and various elements may be added, reordered, combined,omitted, modified, etc.

Although the embodiments above have been described in considerabledetail, numerous variations and modifications will become apparent tothose skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated.It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace allsuch variations and modifications.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for deployment of a data center, themethod comprising: positioning one or more pre-fabricated electricalmodules at a particular data center site, wherein at least one of theelectrical modules is configured to provide one or more of electricalpower support or network communication support to at least one rackcomputer system; positioning one or more pre-fabricated cooling modulesat the particular data center site, wherein at least one of the coolingmodules is configured to provide cooling support to the at least onerack computer system, wherein, to provide cooling support to at leastone rack computer system, the at least one of the cooling modules isconfigured to direct a stream of cooling air out of at least one coolingair vent; inflating an inflatable structure at the data center site,based at least in part on the stream of cooling air directed out of theat least one cooling air vent of the at least one of the coolingmodules, such that the inflated inflatable structure at least partiallyestablishes an inflatable enclosure of at least a portion of the datacenter site; installing one or more rack computer systems within theinflatable enclosure, wherein the rack computer systems are configuredto provide computing capacity, and wherein the installing compriseselectrically coupling the rack computer systems to the at least oneelectrical module; and operating at least one of the rack computersystems at the site to provide computing capacity.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein: positioning one or more pre-fabricated cooling modulesat the particular data center site comprises positioning the one or morepre-fabricated cooling modules at a location adjacent to one end of aparticular space in the particular data center site in a particularorientation, such that a particular side of the at least one coolingmodule which comprises the at least one cooling air vent faces towardsthe particular space; and positioning one or more pre-fabricatedelectrical modules at the particular data center site comprisespositioning the one or more pre-fabricated electrical modules at aseparate location adjacent to an opposite end of the particular space,where the opposite end is distal from the one end of the particularspace, in a particular orientation, such that a particular side of theone or more pre-fabricated electrical modules faces towards theparticular space and further faces towards the particular side of theone or more pre-fabricated cooling modules; and inflating the inflatableenclosure structure at the data center site comprises: coupling one endof the inflatable structure to the particular side of the one or morepre-fabricated cooling modules; and coupling another end of theinflatable structure to the particular side of the one or morepre-fabricated electrical modules, such that the inflatable structureextends across the particular space, between the one or morepre-fabricated cooling modules and the one or more pre-fabricatedelectrical modules.
 3. The method of claim 1, comprising progressivelyexpanding the computing capacity provided by the data center, whereinprogressively expanding the computing capacity provided by the datacenter comprises: progressively extending the enclosure of theparticular space to additionally enclose at least one additional space;and installing one or more additional rack computer systems within theenclosed at least one additional space.
 4. The method of claim 3,wherein: the at least one cooling module comprises a plurality of airmoving devices, wherein at least one air moving device is configured todirect cooling air into the particular space and at least one other airmoving device is configured to direct cooling air into the at least oneadditional space; inflating the inflatable enclosure structure at thedata center site comprises initially operating the at least one airmoving device and inhibiting the at least one other air moving device,such that cooling air is directed into the particular space and isrestricted from being directed into the at least one additional space;and progressively expanding the computing capacity provided by the datacenter comprises activating the at least one other air moving device,such that cooling air is directed by the at least one other air movingdevice into the at least one additional space.
 5. A method, comprising:operating at least one cooling module, such that the at least onecooling module discharges a stream of cooling air into a particularspace, wherein the at least one cooling module is configured to providecooling support to at least one rack computer system based at least inpart upon the discharged stream of cooling air; and inflating aninflatable structure, such that the inflated inflatable structure atleast partially establishes an enclosure of the particular space, basedat least in part upon the stream of cooling air discharged into theparticular space by the at least one cooling module.
 6. The method ofclaim 5, comprising: positioning the at least one cooling module at alocation associated with the particular space, such that the at leastone cooling module is configured to direct the stream of cooling air outof at least one cooling air vent and into the particular space;positioning at least one electrical module at a separate locationassociated with the particular space, wherein the at least oneelectrical module is configured to provide one or more of electricalpower support or network communication support to at least one rackcomputer system; and installing one or more rack computer systems withinthe enclosed space, wherein: the rack computer systems are configured toprovide computing capacity, and the installing comprises electricallycoupling the rack computer systems to the at least one electricalmodule.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein: the inflatable structurecomprises a flexible surface; positioning the at least one coolingmodule at a location associated with the particular space comprisespositioning the at least one cooling module adjacent to one end of theparticular space in a particular orientation, such that a particularside of the at least one cooling module which comprises the at least onecooling air vent faces towards the particular space; positioning atleast one electrical module at a separate location associated with theparticular space comprises positioning the at least one cooling moduleadjacent to an opposite end of the particular space, where the oppositeend is distal from the one end of the particular space, in anotherparticular orientation, such that a particular side of the at least oneelectrical module faces towards the particular space and further facestowards the particular side of the at least one cooling module; andinflating the inflatable structure comprises: coupling one end of theinflatable structure to the particular side of the at least one coolingmodule; and coupling another end of the inflatable structure to theparticular side of the at least one electrical module, such that theinflatable structure extends across the particular space, between the atleast one cooling module and the at least one electrical module.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, comprising: progressively extending the enclosure ofthe particular space to additionally enclose at least one additionalspace; and installing one or more additional rack computer systemswithin the enclosed at least one additional space.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein: the at least one additional space extends between theparticular side of the at least one cooling module and the particularside of the at least one electrical module and is adjacent to theparticular space; and progressively extending the enclosure of theparticular space to additionally enclose at least one additional spacecomprises: coupling one end of at least one additional inflatablestructure to the particular side of the at least one cooling module;coupling another end of the at least one additional inflatable structureto the particular side of the at least one electrical module, such thatthe at least one additional inflatable structure extends across the atleast one additional space, between the at least one cooling module andthe at least one electrical module; and inflating the at least oneadditional inflatable structure, such that the inflated at least oneinflatable structure at least partially establishes an enclosure of theat least one additional space, based at least in part upon the stream ofcooling air discharged into the particular space by the at least onecooling module.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein: the at least oneadditional space extends between the particular side of the at least onecooling module and the particular side of the at least one electricalmodule and is adjacent to the particular space; and progressivelyextending the enclosure of the particular space to additionally encloseat least one additional space comprises: extending the inflatablestructure, between the at least one cooling module and the at least oneelectrical module, over the at least one additional space, such that theinflatable structure at least partially encloses both the particularspace and the at least one additional space.
 11. The method of claim 8,wherein: the at least one cooling module comprises a plurality ofcooling air vents, wherein at least one cooling air vent of theplurality of cooling air vents is configured to direct cooling air intothe particular space and at least one other cooling air vent of theplurality of cooling air vents is configured to direct cooling air intothe at least one additional space; wherein each cooling air vent of theplurality of cooling air vents is independently controllable todischarge cooling air through each cooling air vent; and the methodfurther comprises: prior to progressively extending the enclosure of theparticular space to additionally enclose at least one additional space,controlling the plurality of cooling air vents to direct cooling airfrom the at least one cooling air vent and to restrict cooling air flowthrough the at least one other cooling air vent; and after progressivelyextending the enclosure of the particular space to additionally encloseat least one additional space, controlling the at least one othercooling air vent to direct cooling air flow into the at least oneadditional space.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein: the at least onecooling module comprises a plurality of air moving devices, wherein atleast one air moving device of the plurality of air moving devices isconfigured to direct cooling air into the particular space and at leastone other air moving device of the plurality of air moving devices isconfigured to direct cooling air into the at least one additional space;wherein each air moving device of the plurality of air moving devicesare independently controllable to independently control cooling air flowinto separate spaces; and the method further comprises: prior toprogressively extending the enclosure of the particular space toadditionally enclose at least one additional space, controlling theplurality of air moving devices to direct cooling air into theparticular space via the at least one air moving device and to restrictcooling air flow into the at least one additional space via the at leastone other air moving device; and after progressively extending theenclosure of the particular space to additionally enclose at least oneadditional space, controlling the at least one other air moving deviceto direct cooling air flow into the at least one additional space. 13.The method of claim 5, wherein the inflatable structure comprises: aflexible ceiling structure configured to encompass an upper end of theenclosed particular space; and at least one sidewall structureconfigured to at least partially encompass a side end of the enclosedparticular space; wherein the at least one sidewall structure isconfigured to be removably attached to the flexible ceiling structure.14. The method of claim 5, wherein: the at least one cooling modulecomprises a pre-fabricated cooling module.
 15. A system, comprising: atleast one rack computer system, installed in a particular space, whichis configured to provide computing capacity; at least one cooling modulecomprising at least one cooling air vent and configured to providecooling support to the at least one rack computer system via a stream ofcooling air discharged via the at least one cooling air vent into theparticular space; and at least one inflatable structure configured to atleast partially establish an inflatable enclosure of the particularspace based at least in part upon the stream of cooling air dischargedby the at least one cooling air vent of the at least one cooling moduleinto the particular space.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein: the atleast one cooling module is positioned at a location adjacent to one endof the particular space in a particular orientation, such that aparticular side of the at least one cooling module which comprises theat least one cooling air vent faces into the particular space; the atleast one inflatable structure is coupled, at one end, to the at leastone cooling module; and the at least one inflatable structure iscoupled, at another end which is distal from the one end, to ananchoring structure, such that the at least one inflatable structureextends between the at least one cooling module and the anchoringstructure over the particular space.
 17. The system of claim 16,comprising: at least one electrical module configured to provide one ormore of electrical power support or network communication support to theat least one rack computer system installed in the particular space;wherein the at least one electrical module comprises the anchoringstructure, such that the at least one inflatable structure extendsbetween the at least one cooling module and the at least one electricalmodule over the particular space.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein:the at least one inflatable structure is configured to be extended overat least one additional space, such that the at least one inflatablestructure encloses both the particular space and the at least oneadditional space.
 19. The system of claim 15, wherein: the at least onecooling module comprises a plurality of air moving devices, wherein atleast one air moving device is configured to direct cooling air into theparticular space and at least one other air moving device is configuredto direct cooling air into the at least one additional space; and eachair moving device of the plurality of air moving devices isindependently controllable to independently control cooling air flowinto separate spaces.
 20. The system of claim 15, wherein: the at leastone cooling air vent is located on a particular end of the at least onecooling module; the at least one cooling module comprises at least oneadditional cooling air vent located on a different end of the at leastone cooling module, relative to the particular end; the at least onecooling module is configured to provide an additional stream of coolingair which is discharged, via the at least one additional cooling airvent, into at least one additional space which is adjacent to thedifferent end of the at least one cooling module; and the systemcomprises at least one additional inflatable structure configured to atleast partially establish an inflatable enclosure of the additionalspace based at least in part upon the additional stream of cooling airdischarged by the at least one additional cooling air vent of the atleast one cooling module into the additional space.